Losing weight has given rise to a number of myths. These are not only baseless and unscientific but in the long run can pose health consequences. So it is always better to follow a healthy, scientific way of losing weight and learn to separate the facts from the myths.
1. You cannot lose weight. Gained weight can be lost but it happens at a very slow pace. You should always remember that if you do something right, then it happens. Lose weight by following a scientifically planned controlled diet and not through crash dieting.
2. You should weigh yourself everyday. This is a wrong notion that can demotivate. Your body undergoes a number of changes everyday such as fluid retention, hormonal changes etc. As a result of this you may weigh more and find it very discouraging if you weigh everyday. You should weigh yourself only once a week.
3. Exercise makes you feel hungry. The fact is that moderate exercise helps you in decreasing your appetite. Exercise boosts your metabolism as you burn more calories than usual.
4. Standing while eating helps you to burn more calories. There is no scientific basis for this. Instead if you stand and eat, you tend to eat more and hence gain weight.
5. Vitamins supplements give you energy. This is totally wrong since vitamins are required for boosting up your system and for various other body functions. Carbohydrates are the main energy source for the body. So when on a diet, concentrate on power packed foods more, which give you more energy by a lesser intake.
6. Saunas can help you lose kilograms. Going to saunas every now and then is not a very pleasurable experience. What you lose in sauna is just the water weight and there is no fat burnout. So once you drink water it starts coming back.
7. Jogging a mile helps you burn more calories than walking a mile. Whether you are jogging or walking, the calories burnt are 62 per 100 pounds weight. However, when jogging you cover more distance in a short span of time and hence you burn more calories in a given time.
8. You burn more calories while exercising on an exercise machines. The calories expended are directly related to the amount of effort put in doing an activity. The more you work out, the more calories are burnt. An easy exercise results in burning out fewer calories. So don't give in to fancy looking machines. Just remember the harder you work the more you lose.
Following these myths can make you gain weight instead of losing it. So follow a professionally planned method of weight loss and lose weight sensibly and keep it off.
